By Elizabeth Westhoff

 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. ~Ephesians 6:10

Today’s Gospel reading reminds us that few are willing to go out as a lamb among wolves to do His work.

Since 1973, we’ve seen how many were willing to go out like a lamb into the killing fields Roe had turned the United States into. But let’s recall what we’re told in Ecclesiastes, there’s a time for everything, and while we can certainly rejoice now for the overturning of Roe, we need to gird our loins; the Evil One isn’t going to let this go quietly.

After spending most of my career in the Church, I have a profound, personal understanding of spiritual warfare as something that takes place every second of every day, from which none of us are spared and is often ignored. Spiritual warfare exists, and we who are the members of the Body of Christ and who fight for the inviolability of the right to life are dead center in the sight of the Evil One at all times.

Facing Combat

So how do we face this combat? Pray. Hard.

Father Gabrielle Amorth, Chief Exorcist of the Vatican, once said, “When I am asked how many demons there are, I answer with the words that the demon himself spoke through a demonic: ‘We are so many that, if we were visible, we would darken the sun.'”

We must be ever mindful that Satan exists and that he was brazen enough to engage in spiritual warfare with Christ—the Son of God. He certainly has no qualms about engaging us in this battle.

How Do We Engage

Ephesians 6:10-18 tells us: “Finally, be strong in the Lord and the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we are not contending against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the equipment of the gospel of peace; besides all these, taking the shield of faith, with which you can quench all the flaming darts of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints.”

God is with us. We needn’t be afraid, but we must be vigilant. We have our spiritual armor: prayer, the Eucharist, and the Sacrament of Confession, but you must wear armor for it to be effective. Roe may be gone, but Satan is just gearing up—gird your loins.

Prayer

Lord, give me the strength, wisdom, and courage I need to go out as your faithful lamb.

Call to Action

Volunteer at a local pregnancy resource center.

 

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